
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
9
as Rome's dominion extended, so far had gone the fame of the
faithful in Rome. See Acts 28:22; Rom. 16:19; 1 Thess. 1:8.
2.
"Some spiritual gift"— Vincent remarks that the Greek
word for gift,
charisma,
means "gift of grace, a favor received
without merit on the recipient's part. Paul uses it both in this
ordinary sense (chapter 5:15, 16; 6:23) and in a special, tech-
nical sense, denoting extraordinary powers bestowed upon indi-
viduals by the Holy Spirit, such as gifts of healing, speaking with
tongues, prophecy, etc. See Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 1:7; 12:4, 31;
1 Peter 4:10. In 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6, it is used of the sum
of the powers requisite for the discharge of the office of our evan-
gelist."—"Word
Studies."
God sometimes imparted these gifts through His ministers,
not to satisfy ambition, or to glorify man. but to establish the
receiver in the faith. See Acts 8:17; 19:6; 1 Cor. 1:6-8.
3.
"Comforted."— It has been suggested that while Paul had
not seen Rome, he had met many of the disciples there. This is
indicated by the names mentioned in chapter 16. In fact it is
quite probable that many members of the congregation in Rome
had been converted through the labors of Paul in other places,
and had been brought together by a common faith, as is often
the case in large. central cities. He would not have them think
his previous statement was a reflection upon them, but that the
impartation of the gift would be a Comfort to both.
4.
"Debtor."—Paul was "sold under sin," a bond-slave,
powerless to help or save himself. The Lord Jesus bought him,
redeemed him, purchased him with His own precious blood. Paul
belonged to Christ. But Christ died for all, and made a way
whereby all might be saved. Therefore Paul, the purchased, be-
came debtor to do the work of Christ to the fullest extent of his
ability and power. Being through Christ debtor to all, Paul was
as ready to preach the gospel in Rome as in Jerusalem. No race
or national prejudices can limit the soul which has been baptized
into the life and love of Christ.
"We owe a great debt and it is long overdue!
am debtor
both to the Greeks. and to the barbarians,' said Paul. What had
he received of them? — Absolutely nothing. But he had what they
needed and must have. and he had met that need. We have in
our hand a pardon for a man condemned, and we are his debtor
until 'we put it in his hand. It was for this purpose that we re-
ceived it, and with it went the message, Go quick anywhere! "—
"Pastoral and Personal Evangelism," page 52.
5.
"Not ashamed."— There are many things for which hu-
man beings ought to be ashamed, but are not. Drinking, smoking,
profanity, filthiness, gossip, talebearing, broken promises, false-